This week was spent travelling back to Stanley, through the dreaded Drake
Passage. This notorious stretch of ocean was unbelievably calm and kind to us,
and the 26 degree heat of mid-summer in Stanley beckoned. We could almost see
the palm trees. Then the weather played a nasty trick on us and 4 hours out of
the safe haven of Port William, the ship began to roll and pitch. The last few
hours of our passage turned into the worst, and we arrived into Stanley in miserable,
wet and windy conditions. Naturally this was the weather until we sailed this
morning, when the sun decided to come out and we were able to bask briefly in
almost 12 degrees of heat.

Now we are headed south again, with a new team of geologists
on board, this time intent on gathering samples of rock rather than mud. By next
weekend science should be underway and we will be able to report on our progress.

While we were in Stanley, the harbour became quite busy. The
squid fishing season is starting and a fleet of Korean squid jiggers had come
in to collect their fishing permits. The harbour authorities were busy going
from boat to boat, checking their credentials and issuing licenses. Below is
an image of a few of the boats, with the JCR looking conspicuously red in the
background.

Squid Jiggers in Stanley harbour. Click to enlarge.

The morning we were due to leave was eerily calm. There was barely
a ripple on the water and the sky, the hills and the boats were reflected as
if on a lake. The images below show Stanley and the hills behind, and the ship
peeping out from behind the warehouses of FIPASS. Click on each to enlarge.

Often we have a week or so in port to achieve the change-over of science teams,
restocking the ship and refueling. All this had to be completed on this occasion
in two days. In addition, a new requirement of maritime law which requires a
greater level of security on ships was implemented. This means that a member
of the crew must stand permanent watch on the gangway, all visitors to the ship
must be booked in and out and all aboard must wear security passes. Fortunately
for us, Stanley is a very safe place and, being a relatively small crew, we have
few problems with security.

Small Boat Operations.

Saturday afternoon was a time for testing the small boats. These don't often
get used while we are at sea and so, in port, the most is made of the time to
overhaul and run the engines. Below we have some images of 2nd and 3rd officers
Dave King and Paul Clarke out in the boats with engineers Jim Stevenson and Tom
Elliott and doctor Emma. This was also a time for us to practice man-over-board
drills. A life-ring is thrown overboard, and then "rescued" by the nearest boat.
Of course these drills never become competitive, although I have to say I think
the girls are better at it!

During the afternoon, two Commerson's dolphins decided to join
in the entertainment and played for about half an hour, racing the boats and
porpoising in the bow waves. They seem to enjoy playing like this and go from
one boat to the other, appearing with a splash and a snort every few seconds.
Tom was able to get a very close look.

Every time we leave Stanley we run through safety procedures,
making sure everyone on board knows what to do and where to go in the event of
an emergency. This usually involves boarding and launching the lifeboats. This
process is shown in the photographs below. The boats are driven by the coxswain,
who is either the 2nd or 3rd officer. The purser is responsible for making sure
all the science party are on board, while the crew prepare the boat for launching.

Preparing the lifeboats for launch: (click on each to enlarge)

Lowering the lifeboat.

Dave King takes the boat for a quick spin
around the harbour to test the engines.

Dave Peck lowers the boat.

Mark Taylor and Ian Raper perform some maintenance
on the winch system whilst the boat is in the water.

In this lower picture the scientists can be seen being strapped
into the lifeboats which are designed to right themselves in the event of a capsize.
They contain food, water, dry clothes, flares and medical supplies as well as
full communications equipment. Each boat can carry up to 80 passengers and contains
enough supplies for up to seven days. The food ration comprises 3 litres of water,
330g of glucose tablets and 660g of a concentrated mixture in the form of a biscuit
per person.